"Hello, can you hear me?"
"I can hear you."
Koji was in Mondstadt, holding an object similar to a telephone. It was a contact device capable of long-distance communication. In Teyvat, it was not as though there were no other methods of long-distance contact, but most of them were controlled by only a small number of people.
For example, Alice of the Hexenzirkel had made a device capable of communication. Varka, who was far away in Nod-Krai, could even use it to communicate with Mondstadt.
For ordinary people, if they wanted to contact acquaintances far away, they still had to rely on sending letters.
With ready-made blueprints and the geniuses of Teyvat available, the first generation of civilian communication devices was quickly produced. In the future, even without leaving home, people would be able to contact others.
"It's quite convenient. However, writing letters won't be completely replaced."
Ningguang thought highly of the telephone, but writing and sending letters could not be completely eliminated. For this sort of communication to become widespread, it would not be accomplished overnight.
"True." Koji nodded on his side as well.
Telephones were convenient enough, but some people simply liked the feeling of writing and sending letters.
"Then I'll hang up for now. I can hear you very clearly on my end."
Koji ended the communication. Alice had also taken some time to help a little. In addition, they had borrowed some of the principles behind Sumeru's Akasha System. As a result, the Teyvat version of the telephone had made its preliminary debut.
Koji did not bother handling those things himself. He simply threw some blueprints to Buer and let them tinker with them on their own. He would act as a safety net. Nothing that overturned Teyvat would happen.
"If I wanted to call someone in Snezhnaya, would it connect?" Lisa asked curiously.
"Not right now. The situation in Snezhnaya is rather special," Koji said, thinking of the rumors he had heard not long ago from Arlecchino and the others.
The Tsaritsa was planning to make a major move. The preparations she had made over the past several hundred years were already complete.
Once Snezhnaya started something, the other nations would not be able to remain unaffected. They would all be dragged in.
If that kind of troublesome matter really happened, the current so-called peace would be broken. He needed to stop it. After all, this was his home, and there were people here he cared about.
"I have heard a little about that too. Grand Master Varka contacted Jean and told her to prepare herself for the coming upheaval," Lisa said, her voice growing solemn.
"You don't need to worry. I'll take action," Koji said.
Lisa nodded slightly. If Koji was here, then there really was no need to worry.
No one wanted to experience war again, especially when the war from five hundred years ago that had engulfed all of Teyvat still remained vivid in memory.
...
Koji arrived outside the false sky. Although this eggshell had stopped people from exploring the outside, it had also protected the safety of most people. Overall, its benefits outweighed its drawbacks.
[Blessing of Indestructibility], [Blessing of Standing Unfallen], [Blessing of Intelligent Adjustment]...
The false sky, which had already nearly reached its limit, underwent an earth-shaking transformation after receiving the blessings Koji granted it. Its toughness became even more exaggerated than it had been at its peak.
"So it was you. I was wondering why the false sky had become so sturdy."
Ronova, the Ruler of Death, appeared. Koji had allowed this. Otherwise, she would have been unable to pass through the false sky, which was now under Koji's control.
However, she did not really care who the false sky ended up belonging to. Among the Four Shadows, she was the only one who seriously did her work. If she had a new superior, perhaps she could finally get some proper rest.
"This is my home now. It's normal for me to protect my home, right?" Koji said in Homelander's tone.
If someone had Superman's abilities, they would first start fulfilling their childhood hero dream and satisfy those chuunibyou thoughts: protect the place they wanted to protect. After some time passed, they would become Homelander: protect their own place. After even more time passed, it would become: "I don't eat beef."
"Your Teyvat, huh? Of course there's no problem."
"Do you want to ascend the throne on Celestia?"
Ronova smiled. If someone was willing to take over this rotten mess, she had no objections. Then she could completely retire and slack off.
Seeing Venti, Zhongli, and even several of her own colleagues slacking off had made her unbearably envious. Why was she the only one diligently working?
Ronova smiled and said, "They have their own plans. We will not participate. If you can resolve all those troublesome matters, they would probably be happy to stay together with that Descender."
In other words, there was no need to worry about it.
Koji nodded, then continued asking, "What are your thoughts on Dottore?"
Ronova said indifferently, "I have no thoughts. Dottore is destined not to succeed. Even without all of you, other factors would prevent him from achieving his goal."
He was a madman with no real affection for the Teyvat beneath his feet. If he truly grasped that kind of primordial ancient power, he would become a hidden danger to this world. He might even end up setting Teyvat itself ablaze.
Truly breaking fate was not that easy.
Dottore dared to do something like that because the Heavenly Principles had not yet awakened. Otherwise, he would not have chosen this moment to act.
There were not many people who had seen the Heavenly Principles take action, but no one would deny their strength. They would only revere and fear them.
...
"Go back. I'll become the next Heavenly Principles," Koji said.
"You've really decided?" Ronova asked, somewhat surprised.
There was some delight in it too. Even if Koji became the Heavenly Principles, he would not do anything terrible to Teyvat.
"The Heavenly Principles take turns. This year, it's my house's turn."
Ronova fell silent.
What a line. "The Heavenly Principles take turns. This year, it's my house's turn."
If anyone else had said that, she would have slapped them to death on the spot. But since it was Koji, he could say whatever he wanted.
"Then I'll return to Celestia first and prepare. I'll notify you when the time comes."
Ronova prepared to go back.
"Didn't you say you were going back to Celestia?" Koji asked strangely. He had not told her to stand still on the spot.
An awkward atmosphere spread around the two of them. The corner of Ronova's mouth twitched, and she could not help saying:
"Um... could you open a door?"
She had just tried to open a gate and return, only to discover that she could not get back to Teyvat. Koji had sealed it completely.
As one of the dignified Four Shadows of the Heavenly Principles, she now could not even return home. If Istaroth and the others found out, they would laugh at her for two and a half years.
"Please." Koji smiled and shook his head, opening a passage in the false sky for Ronova to pass through.
Ronova slipped away in embarrassment. This was far too humiliating.
After Koji confirmed there were no issues, he vanished and returned to Teyvat.
(End of Chapter)
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